Blog

Varsity’ s Development Centre empowers 266 people in 4 years

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Empowerment

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Malete (Kwara), Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Centre for Community Development, Kwara State University ( KWASU ), on Monday said it had empowered 266 people in the last four years.

The centre’s Assistant Director, Lawal Olohungbebe, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Malete, Kwara.

Olohungbebe said the empowerment was part of the interventions carried out by the centre since its establishment and that it was in line with its objectives.

”In spite of the challenges we are facing at the centre, we have recorded remarkable achievements from Aug. 2012 till date.

”So far, we have empowered 266 people – 230 women and 36 men; we have also facilitated the digging of 22 boreholes in different local government areas in the state.

”As part of the empowerment programmes,  we trained men and women on soap making,  production of tie and dye batik, small scale businesses and the use of solar dryer/locally made oven as renewable energy to dry fish.

”Within the period under review, we also trained 760 KWASU students on Community Development Service and it is a certificate course designed to explore the  structure and practice of community development and spirit of volunteerism,” he said.

The assistant director, however, noted that the centre’s intervention would have been more if it had more funds.

”The fact that we are government owned limits the possibility of getting funding for most of our interventions as the funds out there, especially internationally, are for NGOs.

”Out of the more than 162 universities in Nigeria, KWASU is the only one that engages communities and this sometimes makes people see us as doing the unnecessary.

“ And this is a big challenge as it reduces the support we get,” Olohungbebe said. ( NAN )

BAY /AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Committee destroys confiscated goods in Jigawa

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Destruction
Dutse, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Consumer Protection Committee (CPC) says it has burnt confiscated goods worth N2.5 million in Gujungu International Market, Taura Local Government Area of the state.

The chairman of the committee, Alhaji Farouk Abdallah, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Monday.

He said the items destroyed included 40 sacks of a leaf used in producing zobo — a local soft drink– 60 sacks of adulterated animal feeds, 86 sacks of sesame seeds and four sacks of sharp sand used in adulterating sesame seeds by traders.

He said part of the committee’s statutory responsibilities was to ensure that the state was safe from all forms of adulterated foods, drugs and medical facilities.

The chairman added that the CPC was to ensure that what people consumed in the state came from genuine manufacturers and producers.

NAN recalls the Jigawa government recently procured and distributed 5,000 mudus — standards of measurement — to grain sellers in the state to eliminate cheating.

The items distributed included 3,000 pieces of the big sized- bowls and 2,000 pieces of the small-sized bowls.

The chairman further said the standard bowls would sensitise the business environment and ensure accuracy in measurements of articles bought in all commercial transactions in the state.

He said that some of the traders deliberately used substandard bowls to short change unsuspecting buyers, adding that the committee would continue to protect consumers in the state. (NAN)
MNB/KAY
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Nigeria needs more cultural values to succeed-Don

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Culture

By Ajibola Olaniyi

Ile-Ife(Osun), Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) Dr Sola Ajibade of the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has said that Nigeria needs more cultural values to succeed.

Ajibade, senior lecturer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the erosion of cultural values amongst Nigerians was responsble for dwindled moral values that adversely affect growth in the country.

According to him, different cultures in Nigeria has a distinct cultural values that uphold high morals, which made the pre-colonial societies in Nigeria to be egalitarian.

He said that successive governments in Nigeria failed woefully in the aspect of instilling social values in the people through cultural re-orientation.

“There is need for us as a nation to go back to our roots and devise the rich cultural heritage that brings about high social values that are needed to build a nation.

“No nation, where the people are morally backward grow and develop, meaning that growth and development predicated on high moral values, all things remain equal.

“Goverments at all levels must endeavour to encourage cultural values rescucitation through constant advocacy,”he said.(NAN)

DOO/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

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Death
Dutse, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than eight persons died in an accident involving a car and a jeep on Hadejia-Kano road in Kaugama Local Government Area of Jigawa.

Mr Adamu Abdullahi, the spokesman of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state, said the accident occurred on Sunday evening.

“Our men were returning from Hadejia when the accidents happened and they assisted in rescuing survivors and taking those who died on the spot to a nearby hospital,’’ Abdullahi said.

An eye witness, who gave his name Alhaji Salisu Sani, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the accident occurred when an articulated vehicle took wrong overtaking that resulted in collision by the two vehicles.

Jigawa Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission Angus Ibezim confirmed the incident, saying: “We received a report about it and we are not happy about it.’’

He advised motorists to desist from speeding under whatever circumstances.(NAN)
MNB/KAY
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

FRSC says it will strictly enforce Speed Limiter Device in Benin Zone

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Enforcement

By Joy Odigie

Benin, Oct.3, 2016(NAN) The FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer(ZCO) RS5,in Benin, Kehinde Adeleye, said the command would be strict in the advisory enforcement of the Speed Limiter Device in the Zone, pending its full enforcement in 2017.
This is contained in a statement signed by Onyenonachi Nwankwo, the acting Zonal Public Education Officer, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Benin.
NAN reports that the enforcement of the device on commercial vehicles nationwide took effect on Oct.1.
However, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, said personnel of the Corps would give the enforcement “a human face” by starting with advisory enforcement beginning from Oct. 1, till the end of the year.
Adeleye advised commercial drivers, especially owners of commercial fleets in the zone, to ensure that they installed the device on their vehicles.

He called for cooperation from other stakeholders on safety management, saying officers and men of the corps in the zone would work in synergy with them, in making the highways safer for all.(NAN)

OOJ/KOO/AMY

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Abdullahi Yusuf

Enugu Govt approves upgrading of IMT to degree-awarding institution

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Degree

By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike

Enugu, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Enugu State Government has approved the upgrading of Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, to be a degree-awarding institution.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, made the disclosure interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday.

Udeuhele said that the move was to reposition the age-long institution to meet the demands of the 21st century needs.

“The Enugu State executive council has recently approved the upgrade of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, to a degree-awarding institution.

“This is meant for the institution to meet the educational, socio-political and economic needs of the state,’’ he said.

The commissioner said that the council would be sending a bill to the House of Assembly to do the necessary amendment to the law establishing the institution.

“In line with this decision, the council has directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Miletus Eze, to draft a bill to be forwarded to the Enugu State House of Assembly for necessary action,’’ he said.

NAN recalls that IMT came into existence under the then East Central State of Nigeria Edict number 10 of 1973 promulgated by the Administrator of East Central State – Chief Ukpabi Asika. (NAN)

OJI/KSN/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Nigeria @56: Nigeria needs leaders with vision -Cleric

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Leaders

By Ajayi Toba

Ilorin, Oct.3, 2016 (NAN) A cleric, Gbenga Babatunde, has said that Nigeria needs leaders with vision to restore its lost glory.

Babatunde of the Redeemed Faith Church, Adewole,Ilorin made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, on Monday.

According to him, it takes leaders with vision to pilot the affairs of a great country like Nigeria.

He said most of the leaders occupying political offices lacked vision, saying that they only know of themselves and had no plan for the country to grow.

The cleric said that most of the new generation leaders had lost the vision of the past heroes who fought for the independence of Nigeria, thereby living the country in ruins.

“Most of the leaders get to power base on political compensation and therefore have no plan to govern a naturally-blessed nation like Nigeria.

“Our leaders lack vision for this country that’s why we are suffering today. You will agree with me that most of the roads were built by the past leaders.

“Its so unfortunate that some of them died with their vision and the present leaders deviated from the legacy thereby living the country in great danger.

“Self aggrandizement has become the order of the day as some political leaders have turn government offices into family affairs by representing their own household instead of the people that elected them into office,” Babatunde.said.

He advised that Nigeria needed leaders who could make sacrifices for the poor masses in order to elevate the country from the present economy downturn, rather than calling for sells of national assets.

The cleric, therefore, urged public office holders to carry out their responsibilities with the fear of God and without prejudice in order to make Nigeria a better place. (NAN)

LEX/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

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NCAA
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Monday said good corporate governance was pivotal to the sustainability of domestic airlines in the country.

Mr Sam Adurogboye, Acting General Manager, Public Relations of NCAA, made the assertion while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Adurogboye said that the NCAA had formulated and implemented sufficient policies aimed at improving safety and efficiency of airlines.

According to him, this can only be achieved if there is good corporate governance on the part of the airline operators.

He said: “The NCAA as the regulatory body will continue to do its job to ensure the safety and security of Nigeria’s airspace.

“However, the NCAA is not in charge of running these airlines but we believe that when there is good corporate governance, they will adhere to the Safety and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

“The NCAA’s directive is that no airline should operate without a minimum of two aircraft in its fleet.

“Even with these two aircraft, an airline with good corporate governance will be able to deliver effective services to its customers more than its counterparts with more aircraft but is being managed poorly.’’

He also spoke on the debt owed NCAA and other aviation agencies by the domestic airlines which had accumulated over the years to billions of Naira.

According to him, the indebtedness was due to the non-remittance of five per cent Cargo and Charter Sales Charges (TSA/TCA) collected at source from passengers by the airlines on behalf of the Federal Government.

He said the sales charges were to enable all aviation agencies carry out their responsibilities of providing safe, secure and efficient regulatory services for the overall benefits of all aviation stakeholders.

Adurogboye said the introduction of the TSA/TCA automation of payments, which offered real-time transparent transactions, had helped to address the issue.

“So, we are collecting the money from source. We have also been working with the airlines on how they can pay off their debts through payments by installment,’’ he added. (NAN)
ASO/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

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Celebration
By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Egyptian Embassy says the country will celebrate its 150th anniversary of the inception of parliamentary system on Oct. 9.

Mr Ahmed Akl, Press Attaché of the Egyptian Embassy, said in a statement issued in Abuja that celebration would hold at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

“It will be attended by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of The Arab Republic of Egypt, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and Egypt’s 596 members of parliament.

“President El-Sisi and Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal will deliver speeches followed by a short documentary film on Egypt’s 150-year-old parliamentary life,’’ he said.

He said the 2014 Constitution of Egypt was inaugurated on Jan, 10, describing it as the most empowered and diverse parliamentary body in Egyptian history.

“For instance, women made extraordinary gains and now hold 89 seats in the House of Representatives, making the highest percentage of female representation in parliament’s 150-year history.

“The same is also true about Christians whose number now stands at 39 while the number of political parties represented in parliament rose to 19, with 245 members of parliament (MPs).

He said the third session of the fourth legislative term of the African Parliament would also be held at Sharm El-Sheik from Oct. 9 to Oct. 19, stressing that speakers of key world parliaments would be invited to attend the event.

“Speakers from the Russian, American, European, Chinese and Japanese parliaments will be invited along with the speakers of the Arab parliaments and heads of the international, Arab and African parliamentary unions,’’ he said.

The history of Egypt’s parliament, the first in the Arab, African and Middle East regions, dates back to Oct. 22, 1866 when the 75-MP Council of Consultative Deputies (Maglis Shura Al-Nuwab) was formed.

The council, which was inaugurated during the era of Khedive Ismail (1863-1879), held its inaugural meeting on Nov. 25, 1866.(NAN)
FUA/KAY
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

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Management
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Enugu, Oct. 3, 2016 (NAN) Enugu Rangers Coach Imama Amakpakabo says the club’s success in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions league competition and the domestic league, depends on the club’s management.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rangers beat El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 4-0 in Enugu on Sunday to win its first domestic title since 1984.

Amakpakabo, who was a member of the 1985 Golden Eaglets World Cup winning team, noted that the management should maintain its superlative organisational abilities in the just concluded season.

“The club’s management played unquantifiable role in the trophy jinx we broke this season but next season would be a different ball game.

“We would, aside from competing for the league and the federation cup, compete in the prestigious CAF Champions League competition.

“We would approach the CAF champions league with the same system we deployed for the league and hope to become the first team to win it for Nigeria since Enyimba did last in 2004.

“We need to fortify the team because competing in the continent is a higher task while players’ welfare should be enhanced the more,’’ he said.

He attributed the team’s success to God’s grace, hard work, unity, discipline and tremendous support from the state government and well wishers.

“We were written off at the beginning of the season but I told the players that such was an opportunity for them to prove critics wrong and make names for themselves.

“We instilled unparalleled degree of confidence into the players and made them believe that they possess the same quality or even more, with those touted to win the cup,’’ he said.

He remarked that his tutelage under renowned coaches in the country gave him the ability to transform the Rangers team into a winning one.

“I have assisted coaches such as Solomon Ogbeide, Kadiri Ikhana, John Obuh and Salisu Yusuf, among others, and gained valuable confidence and experience from them.

“I am elated that having got the opportunity to tinker a top club side, I did not disappoint myself and those who reposed confidence in me,’’ he said.(NAN)
RCO/KAY
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan